Joye and Manning Booker celebrate a quarter-century of volunteering with the American Red Cross

From left, ARC volunteer Manning Booker, Becky Mayr of ACR and volunteer Joye Booker are pictured at a December event honoring the Bookers for 25 years volunteer service with ARC. (Courtesy Becky Mayr)

When Joye and Manning Booker retired more than 25 years ago - she from Mobile County Public School System and he from CSX Railroad -they both knew they "didn't want to sit around doing nothing," Joye Booker said.

So they became volunteers at the American Red Cross Center on Demetropolis Road at U.S. 90. And in December, the "dynamic duo," as ACR Volunteer Coordinator Becky Mayr calls them, was recognized at the Alabama and Central Gulf Coast Region Volunteer Recognition Ceremony for their quarter-century of service to the organization.

Mayr said that the Bookers have done "a little bit of everything" as volunteers, but "their primary task for the last decade has involved shuttling blood and blood products from the Mobile distribution site to hospitals along the Coast. They've traveled from the interior Florida Panhandle to the Mississippi-Louisiana line, transporting the needed resources to hospitals along the way," she said.

Joye Booker said that their route takes them to hospitals in Lucedale, Gulfport, Monroeville, Evergreen and Fairhope, among others. They travel at least three days a week and sometimes four, she said.

Mayr, who has worked with the Bookers since they joined the Red Cross in 1988, said that she couldn't have asked for a better team when it comes to supporting the organization's mission.

"They are truly, truly wonderful people," said Mayr. "I just think the world of them. Every time we've ever needed them for anything, whether at 5 a.m. or whenever, they are always willing to help out in any way possible. They perform a task critical to our organization, and I've been so thankful to have them on our team."

For information about volunteering or becoming a donor at the American Red Cross Center, call Mayr at 251-662-5079.